John Crow Batty

His body language, attitude and the disappearance of the ferocious intensity from his game suggests to me something is amiss. Maybe he is wavering? Perhaps he had done a deal with Freo and is regretting it or something else. I just hope the club offer what he is worth and not throw everything at him in desperation. Nothing could be worse for the club than being stuck with an overpaid Prima Donna.

The reality is if we don't get rid of that culture we will never ever win another flag. We may become a good side, play regular finals and with luck get into a GF but that is about it. Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory will be our future legacy.

I was particularly disapointed in Jones when he gave away the free and ensuring goal when he amateurishly dragged the ball in during the second quarter. It was incredibly dumb and damaging.

The disturbing thing we have had a few of these losses in the past couple of seasons and I hoped the Essendon game might have been the last but now we have managed to bookend the season. Whist we have improved overall there still appears to be hubris self inflicted by drinking our own bath water that could see us easily slide backwards next season if we don't eliminate this mentality.

He has laid 2 tackles in his last five games. For the tea leaf readers he laid a seasons high of 5 tackles against Freo.

He may have taken 14 marks but did bugger all with the ball, slow decision making and zero defensive efforts. We would have structured up better with Pederson instead of him and Weiderman as well as the rest of the forward line would have been the better for it. Hogan's adds very little to our forward structure.

Well it won't upset the post season holiday plans for the players anymore.

Still the soft [censored] front runners that crap ourselves when the opposition have a go. Never looked a chance of redeeming a three goal deficit. The Hogan kicking issue was big before the season proper and has gotten worse. Not sure why some think it is no big deal. He should have another press conference and fess up. He just sucks the life out of our forward line and is a momentum killer with ball in hand.

Apparently there may be a rift between Fyfe and Ballantyne. Given the other rumours it may be best for all if Fyfe moves on. Hayden Ballantyne fuels "fresh start" rumours, denies rift with Nathan Fyfe

I question now whether we would need or want one or both of these players. The improvement in our defence has been excellent in the second half of the season. The two Macs and Frost look capable of now doing all of the heavy lifting. We have very promissing players in Wagner and Hunt. Jetta is rock solid and we have Melksham and Salem to return.

He won't jump but would be happily pushed as he still has a nice fat contract.

It has been pleasing and a relief that we are not finishing off the season badly as we were for a long time. Has been a nightmare for us. After last week it proves that we are now capable of getting more scalps which didn't look likely a few rounds ago.

Flanagan has been consistently sympathetic in his writings about us but I find this quote an interesting admission. Something also many supporters suspected for quite a few seasons in the dark days. "What Melbourne have now is a core of ambitious footballers who actually want to play for the club and jointly pursue their sporting passion."

This is great news and very important the deal was done. This is a boon for confidence going into next season.

The speculation goes on and on though.

The tide is turning. Roger waters.

Any news on TMac?

Wow they look so young. Like under 15's

I sometimes wonder what the chemistry is between him and the playing group. Though his visible attitude has improved, his sullen and demanding moods are still there. Something does not gel with his presence on the forward line. There has been criticism of his defensive work and he doesn't bust packs like he did last season to take big contested grabs. Just content to sit passively under the ball at times. Not in injury prevention mode I hope.

Is the team too Hogan-centric or is Hogan too Hogan-centric?

I don't think it was only Jack that may have felt that way about Neeld.

I think his role should be discussed in depth but not today.

Hogan- Not missed today.

Special mention to Pederson. After a relative quiet first half he was brilliant in the final quarter. And gave some great physical contests all day.

Fantastic 4 quarter team effort with a functioning forward line. Best ever win under Roos. Pride has returned to the club.